The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-02-17
EMPEROR or RUSSIA
Consul Heenan Gives an Interesting Ce
scripton OF lfe in Soht ern
Russia.

Speoia Correspondence of the Globe
Odessa, Russia, Jan. l5.-The re
cluse of Gatchina, as the English
newspapers make point OF clubbing
the present Emper or of Russia, is
70 means the highly nervous and
mnch-fearing ruler that he has been
described. On the contrary, If it
were possible for American newspa.
pers to publish the daily movements
of the car, and copy from the Rus
sian press accounts of every dry life
in Russia. Il very different and much
more favorable view would he ent err
tanned of the condition of things in
Russia, and especially of its ruler.
Alexander Ill. is strong man both
physically and mentally, and while he
rules with Il strong hand. the great
majority Of his subjects will tell you
that his rule but very seldom presses
unkindly. Taxation is light, and,
while the Russian farmer and work
ingman do not enjoy the liberty of
speech and freedom of action that the
Americans of like occupation ENJOY.
still his advantages from material
standpoint are much greater. From
personal observation the writer can
testify that the cZar when in South
Russia drove about not only without
in escort, but absolutely without the
slightest precaution being taken to
protect him. While in Sebastapol he
could be seen daily driving in an open
barouche without even footman on
the box, nor was there IL soldier or u
policeman to be seen on the streets.
and these same streets were thronged
with an admiring and enthusiastic
crowd Of his majesty's subjects. For
the benefit of American readers it
will be just as well to call attention
to the circumstance that South Russia
is believed to he the hot bed of Eihil.
ism; perhaps it is, but if it is, Alex
ander III. does not manifest, as far as
his personal movements are concern
ed, any great fear of this terrible un-
known element. Americans should
never forget that while auto
cratic Russia has lost one ruler by as
free America has lost two.
and it surely cannot be said that either
Lincoln or Garfield has done more
for humanity than did Alexander ii.
when he freed tie white slaves of
Russia from the yoke which they had
carried for centuries. President Lin
coin freed the black men of the South
AS war measure, us an absolute and
necessity; he was foully
murdered as much for that act, the
greatest of his life. as for any other.
Alexander H., by a stroke of his
pen, set free the white slave of Rus
sia,not rs a war measure not as a nee
essi,y, but as Il simple act Of justice
urged by the prompting of Il noble
and generous heart. AS a matter OF
fact Alexander ii. did more than set
these white slaves free, he provided
them with means of livelihood and
gave them an opportunity Of aoqnir-
ing wealth, and, although but twenty
five years have elapsed, it will no
doubt surprise many Americans to
learn that the former slave of Russia
is to-day the we'll TODD, or even veal
thy, farmer of the country. and also
the devoted and enthusiastic admirer
of the czar. 1t is matter of history
that the present ruler of Russia,
during his fathers lifetime was man
of advanced ideas. 1t is also we'll
know that Alexander H., when he was
so cruelty mu dered, had almost com.
pleted the draft of document which
would give to Russia both constitu-
ton and a parliament. This document
not only met with the approval of the
then Russian cabinet, but was warmly
Endorsed by the present emperor, and
there is Il strong belief in Russia at
the present day that nihilism had but
little to do with the terrible ending of
the late emperor, but that he was
murdered in revenge by those who
felt themselves injured by the free.
dom of the serfs, and who trembled
at the idea of still further benefit:ng
this class by anything which even
remotely approached popular suffrage.
1t i'll BELTS American newspapers to
take their ideas of Russian life,
Russian aims or ambition from the
English press; they should always
remember that England is the hered-
itary foe of Russia, and while Russian
greed may be great. it will hardly be
asserted that the English appetite is
moderate. England fears Russia, and
with good cause. Germany both
FEARS AND HATES RUSSIA.
Austria plays a Tom Thumb to
Russia's John l.. Sullivan. No love
lost there. Turkey coquettes with
every ruler iu Europe, and the best
man captures this somewhat decayed
but still rather tough widow. The
widow may be bit fond of flirting.
all the same she knows a man when
she meets him, and Russia owns all
there is at Constantinople. France,
after denying the existence OF God,
sets up god Of her own in the person
of General Boulanger. Whether this
"cat in pan" will inspire the French
powder or the French fighting quail
tiles in the conflict that is to come
remains to he seen. Whether or not.
France is Russla's ally. and with the
aid of the Turk they have between
them brought about condition OF
things which even the prolonged exist
ence of the aged emperor of Germany
cannot control. Russia has under
arms $50 900 men; France has under
arms 100000 men. II total Of 1850, 900
men, without calculating the reserve
force, which can safely be estimated
at double this number. England has
under arms $50, 900 men; Germany has
under arms $4,000 men, Austria has
under arms 100000 men; Italy has
under arms 375. 900. total of l.5l5,000
men. The available reserve of these
nations may be
DOUBLE THIS NUMBER,
but it must be remembered that
England has an Irish and an Indian
question to deal with. German unity
is not quite so much an accomplished
fact us it may seem.
Austria may fully realize the danger
of Russian intrige in Austrian Poland.
Italy would scarcely strip her borders
and leave the road to Rome open to.
Papal volunteers. In word. Russia
holds the winning hand. and will
soon prove to the world what dis
L u lion n I'm